Patrick Wester, PMHNP
Congratulations – you have made a brave decision to work on your mental health! This is something that can seem daunting and scary and so you should be very proud of your choice to make positive changes and help improve your quality of life. You are now looking to meet with a provider and may see several different titles and initials after their names. What’s the difference? Which provider is best suited for you and your needs? There are several different kinds of mental health providers that can help you achieve your goals. Let’s take a look at the various providers that you may encounter at Principium Psychiatry.
Psychiatrists (MD or DO): Psychiatrists are physicians who attended undergraduate school followed for four years of general medical school education. This is followed by a four year period of residency, a time dedicated to learning and caring specifically for people’s mental health. It is during this extensive training time that psychiatrists hone their skills in this field. Often, psychiatrists then complete a fellowship following residency. These programs can be specific to psychiatrists’ professional interests and allow for advanced training in niche areas of psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians who are considered experts in the field of psychopharmacology. Psychopharmacology is the study of how medications affect the mind, behavior, and emotions. It focuses on the proper use of medications to treat mental health disorders, examining how these substances interact with the brain, the nervous system and the rest of the body. This includes medications such as antidepressants for depression and anxiety disorders, antipsychotics for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and adjunctive uses in depression, mood stabilizers to help improve mood and manage mood swings, anxiolytics to reduce anxiety and panic symptoms and stimulant and non-stimulant medications to help improve concentration, focus and executive functioning. In addition to managing psychotropic medications, psychiatrists are also trained in psychotherapy and interpretation of diagnostic tests used in treating mental health conditions.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs): A PMHNP is a registered nurse who has received advanced graduate-level education and training. These professionals hold either a masters (MSN) or doctorate degree (DNP) and are in unique positions to utilize the skills and apply the knowledge they have gained from their experience as a registered nurse in a larger scope. While nurse practitioners exist across several different areas of medicine, PMHNPs receive extensive training and education specific to psychiatry and are board-certified in this specialty. PMHNPs have the ability to diagnose and treat a wide-range of mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy and receive advanced education in psychopharmacology, making them qualified to prescribe medications. They often work under the supervision of a psychiatrist, though in New York State, PMHNPs can be considered independent practitioners after a specific period of time.
Physician Assistants (PAs): Similar to PMHNPs, PAs are also graduate-level healthcare professionals, often prepared at the master-degree level. Also similar to PMHNPs, they work under the supervision of a psychiatrist. PAs, like psychiatrists, receive extensive training in general medicine and can later specialize in areas such as mental health. Because of their advanced training and education, PAs also are able to prescribe and manage medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests and provide psychotherapy.
As we can see, psychiatrists, PMHNPs and PAs have similar roles on the healthcare team. All three types of providers are able to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, are well-versed in psychopharmacology and can prescribe and manage medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests and provide psychotherapy. The route that each profession takes to arrive at these skills is different and it is these differences that make each provider qualified in their own unique way. Additionally, you will find all these professionals in various treatment settings, including hospitals, community clinics and private outpatient practices.
Despite the differences in education and training, the goals of these professions remain the same. Psychiatrists, PMHNPs and PAs are dedicated to delivering quality and patient-centered care. All three groups of healthcare providers emphasize a holistic approach which considers the emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of health. This is done through compassion and implementing evidence-based practice. Each role is well-versed through education and experience in approaches to treatment that are designed to utilize the latest research and guidelines to inform the decisions that go into your care and treatment plan. Finally, there is an understanding that the best outcomes are derived from team collaboration. While these professions were outlined separately here, psychiatrists, PMHNPs and PAs often work together in multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care. This collaboration enhances treatment outcomes, as each profession brings varied expertise and perspectives to patient management.
What happens if you are just looking for therapy? Maybe you already have a provider who is prescribing and managing your medications but you are looking for the opportunity to optimize your treatment and mental health. Here at Principium Psychiatry, we have exceptionally talented psychologists and social workers who are here to help. While social workers and psychologists both aim to improve mental health and well-being, their approaches, training, and areas of focus can differ.
Clinical Social Workers: Clinical social workers are advanced-degree holding professionals with a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW). A clinical MSW program includes clinical training, allowing social workers to diagnose mental health disorders and provide treatment through psychotherapy. This training prepares them to address a wide range of issues, including mental health concerns, substance abuse issues, and family dynamics. Social work programs emphasize a holistic approach, preparing practitioners to address not just individual issues but also the social factors impacting a person’s well-being. They adopt a “person-in-environment” perspective, emphasizing the interplay between individuals and their surroundings, viewing people within the context of their communities and aim to empower them through advocacy and resource connection.
Psychologists: Like psychiatrists, psychologists hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. However, unlike psychiatrists, they cannot prescribe medication as their education involves extensive training in research methods, psychological theory, and clinical practice rather than psychopharmacology. Their training is heavily focused on understanding human behavior and mental processes, which equips them to conduct assessments, diagnose mental health conditions, and provide psychotherapy. Psychologists typically take a different approach than
social workers, focusing on individual psychological processes and behavior.
As we can see, both clinical social workers and psychologists are considered extremely skilled and well-trained in providing psychotherapy. Oftentimes, these clinicians will specialize in a treatment modality in which they are particularly interested or gifted. These therapy modalities can be cognitive behavioral (CBT), dialectical behavioral (DBT), psychoanalytic, acceptance and commitment (ACT) and trauma-focused just to name a few. Depending on the modality, psychotherapy can be time-specific or ongoing. Similar to the medical providers described earlier, psychologists and clinical social workers also rely on evidence-based practice to guide their treatment plan and are dedicated to providing care that is focused on you achieving your goals.
While the training, education, scope of practice and philosophy differs across these professional spheres, the goal of their work largely remains the same. That is, to provide care that is focused on the individual and tailored to help them meet their goals and improve their mental health. With well-rounded and experienced individuals from all these disciplines, rest assured that at Principium Psychiatry, regardless of who your primary provider is, there is a strong and dedicated team of clinicians that will collaborate together in order to deliver the best care to you.
At Principium Psychiatry, located in Greenwich, CT (in Fairfield County), New York City (Grand Central and Wall Street), and Los Angeles (Santa Monica), cutting edge treatments are available for a range of mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, trauma, ADHD, and others. Our compassionate team brings the best of the art and science of medicine to your mental health care. Call or email for more information on how to begin your journey to improved mental health.
